Kathleen Baker breaks 100m backstroke world record (video)
"I watched a lot of Shark Week, so I was channeling my inner shark."
www.nbcsports.comI don’t have live access to the latest feed right now, but here’s what’s commonly known about the 100m backstroke world record status as of recent years and how to verify the very latest.
Direct answer
- The world record in the men’s 100m backstroke has changed a few times in short-course (25m) and long-course (50m) formats in the 2020s. The most recent prominent long-course mark before 2026 was Thomas Ceccon’s 51.60 seconds set at the 2022 World Championships, and Regan Smith has also set notable short-course records in Incheon (2024). To confirm the current all-time best in your preferred format and gender, check the latest World Aquatics (FINA) records page or the official World Cup and World Championships results from this year.[3][5]
Where to check for the latest
- World Aquatics official records pages: long-course (50m) and short-course (25m) records for men and women, updated with each major meet.[5]
- Major meet recaps (World Championships, World Cup stop reports) often mention record-break swims and provide context on whether a new record was set.[1][2]
- National federation press releases (e.g., USA Swimming, Italian Swimming Federation) and reputable sports outlets (NBC Sports, Olympics site) frequently caption record swims when they occur.[9][3]
Context and notable recent holders (for perspective)
- 2022: Thomas Ceccon set a long-course world record in the men’s 100m backstroke with 51.60 seconds at Budapest Worlds.[7][5]
- 2024: Regan Smith set a short-course world record in Incheon during the World Cup circuit, highlighting ongoing progression in the 100m back, though in short course meters rather than long course.[1]
- Other recent records have included top performances by Olympic and world silver medalists in backstroke events, with continued record attempts in both formats.[4][3]
If you’d like, I can:
- Look up the exact current world record in the exact format you care about (men/women, 100m backstroke, long course vs short course) and provide the official time and holder with citations.
- Pull the latest results from a specific meet (e.g., latest World Cup stop or World Championships) to confirm whether a new record was set there.